Lateral Isolator

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Protect Your Electronics from Lateral Shock

Lateral shock and vibration are increasing concerns in directional drilling due to longer laterals, aggressive drilling and more challenging formations. Lateral shock can reach upwards of 120Gs and cause significant damage to sensitive electronics. MWD component failures can be highly correlated to lateral accelerations. The LORD® Lateral Isolator and centralizer fins were designed to protect against lateral shock and vibration in a probe-style MWD tool string. 

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Extend the Life of Your MWD Tools

The Lateral Isolator decouples the lower end from the remainder of the tool string. This provides a designated inflection point that adds damping and compliance into a rigid system. The Lateral Isolator uses a pair of highly engineered elastomer elements that provide compliance in the system and is paired with an Axial Isolator that has fins installed on the body.

Features and Benefits

  • Substantially lower lateral shock, especially at higher shock levels: 94% reduction in above-30G shock counts at the gamma module compared to a rigid-mounted tool string
  • Installs above the axial isolator to decouple lower end shock from the rest of the tool string
  • Highest level of multi-stage isolation performance achieved when lateral isolator is run in series with a centralized axial isolator
  • Enhanced tool string reliability from increased stabilization and decreased bending stress
  • Creates an inflection point in the tool string which reduces the chance of pressure-barrel cracking or fractures
  • Increases Axial Isolator anti-rotation component life by removing bending
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Peak Lateral Shock Comparison

The major benefit of the Lateral Isolator is that it mitigates peak shock events. This graph highlights the benefits of a Centralized Axial Isolator in a tool string compared to rigid mounting. The Centralized Axial Isolator mitigates low amplitude, high frequency vibration. However, without the Lateral Isolator, high shock events are still present.

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Blogs

Resources

What You Need to Know About the 3.5 Generation MWD Shock Absorber

LORD® Axial Isolators are specifically designed to protect Measurement While Drilling (MWD) electronics from axial shock and vibration. Used in the directional drilling market, recent advancements have enhanced the tool’s reliability. Read what to know when considering this solution.

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Product Brochure: Lateral Isolators
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An Overview of MWD Shock Absorbers

A brief overview on our Axial Isolators, a type of MWD shock absorber and how it can impact your directional drilling operation.

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Data Sheet: MWD Interconnect Centralizer
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Axial Shock Mitigation Presentation
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Data Sheet: Axial Isolator
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